Hard Times for the New Run DMC: Darren McFadden's Fumble Problems

Hard times spreading just like the fluWatch out homeboy, don't let it catch you.

These are the opening lyrics of a rap by the world famous group, Run DMC. Today's Run DMC; Darren McFadden, could take these as words of encouragement.

Darren had three fumbles Sunday in the 23-3 loss to the division rival Broncos. He is a fast, elusive runner, with the power to run people over.

The problem? DMC is holding the football like a loaf of bread.

In 16 career games Darren has seven fumbles, almost averaging a fumble every other game. He only lost one of three fumbles in Week Three, and he has only lost three of seven career fumbles.

In case you just don't get it yet, McFadden has five career touchdowns. More fumbles in a career than touchdowns? Thats unheard of. Granted, McFadden is young, but needs to hold onto the ball.

For now im just going to give the fumbles a big "Child Please," because I do have faith that DMC will clean it up.

Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Steve Slaton have combined for six career fumbles. They were all running backs taken after McFadden in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Felix Jones, McFadden's counterpart at the University of Arkansas, has one career fumble. These four running backs were all taken after McFadden in the draft, and on top of that they have historically all played bigger roles with their teams. The only one of the four to not be the starting running back, Felix Jones, is running behind Marion Barber in Dallas.

The four running backs have carried the football a combined amount of 1028 carries, to McFadden's 154. They fumble the football one in every 146 attempts. McFadden fumbles once in every 22 attempts.

We're rooting for you Darren, so please hold onto the football. You are a key in the Raiders future success and can be a star for many years.

It's not a loaf of of bread, it's a football. Hold it and run big boy.